WHAT: SunSoft, Inc., Mountain View, California, has placed the source code to Project DOE's Interface Definition Language (IDL) compiler front end (CFE) on OMG's file server, making the implementation publicly available. This release is identified by the version number 1.3. Project DOE is SunSoft's corporate-wide development effort to integrate distributed object technology into the Solaris O/S. OMG (Object Management Group) is the industry wide body formed to create specifications for distributed object technology. It currently has more than 370 members. OMG IDL is part of OMG's CORBA 1.1 specification and provides a standardized way for defining object interfaces. OMG IDL forms the basis for distributed object interactionin Project DOE. The SunSoft OMG IDL CFE provides a complete framework for building CORBA 1.1-compliant preprocessors for OMG IDL. By using this standard implementation, developers of OMG IDL compilers will save many months of work and enhance the portability and interoperability of OMG IDL-interfaced objects. The SunSoft OMG IDL CFE allows convenient and fast integration of new back ends to the compiler. The release consists of a front end which converts OMG IDL to an intermediate format, a compiler framework driver, an example implementation of a compiler back end, and a set of protocols for interaction between the front and back ends. The SunSoft OMG IDL CFE parser uses components generated by yacc and lex. The SunSoft OMG IDL CFE is designed to allow easy extension of OMG IDL without impacting existing back-end implementations. As the CORBA specification evolves, any new updates to the IDE CFE will be placed by SunSoft on the OMG server. This release provides a directory with many examples of OMG IDL specifications to allow users to become familiar with the process of writing OMG IDL code. For more information send email to idl-cfe@sun.com. HOW: The SunSoft OMG IDL CFE is available at no charge through anonymous FTP in source form on the OMG file server, omg.org. Please retrieve the file OMG_IDL_CFE_1.3.tar.Z from the directory pub/OMG_IDL_CFE_1.3. Please let us know who you are if you retrieve the compiler front end using this method, by sending email to idl-cfe@sun.com. You can also retrieve the software by using the OMG mail server program. Send email with the subject 'help' to omg_idl@omg.org, and the mail server will respond with instructions on how to retrieve the software. WHEN: The SunSoft OMG IDL CFE is available now. CONTACT: Please let us know who you are if you decide to use this software, and how you use it. Please send email to: idl-cfe@sun.com This address can also be used to report problems, bugs, suggestions and send general comments. We ask that if you make extensions or modifications to this source release, please make these extensions available to others using the OMG IDL compiler front end, by sending the modified sources to the above email address. This will help us evaluate your extensions for inclusion in a future version. It also ensures your investment in these extensions when new versions of the CFE are released. NOTE: SunOS, SunSoft, Sun, Solaris, Sun Microsystems or the Sun logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Copyright 1992, 1993, 1994 Sun Microsystems, Inc. Printed in the United States of America. All Rights Reserved. This product is protected by copyright and distributed under the following license restricting its use. The Interface Definition Language Compiler Front End (CFE) is made available for your use provided that you include this license and copyright notice on all media and documentation and the software program in which this product is incorporated in whole or part. You may copy and extend functionality (but may not remove functionality) of the Interface Definition Language CFE without charge, but you are not authorized to license or distribute it to anyone else except as part of a product or program developed by you or with the express written consent of Sun Microsystems, Inc. ("Sun"). The names of Sun Microsystems, Inc. and any of its subsidiaries or affiliates may not be used in advertising or publicity pertaining to distribution of Interface Definition Language CFE as permitted herein. This license is effective until terminated by Sun for failure to comply with this license. Upon termination, you shall destroy or return all code and documentation for the Interface Definition Language CFE. INTERFACE DEFINITION LANGUAGE CFE IS PROVIDED AS IS WITH NO WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF DESIGN, MERCHANTIBILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NONINFRINGEMENT, OR ARISING FROM A COURSE OF DEALING, USAGE OR TRADE PRACTICE. INTERFACE DEFINITION LANGUAGE CFE IS PROVIDED WITH NO SUPPORT AND WITHOUT ANY OBLIGATION ON THE PART OF Sun OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES OR AFFILIATES TO ASSIST IN ITS USE, CORRECTION, MODIFICATION OR ENHANCEMENT. SUN OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES OR AFFILIATES SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY WITH RESPECT TO THE INFRINGEMENT OF COPYRIGHTS, TRADE SECRETS OR ANY PATENTS BY INTERFACE DEFINITION LANGUAGE CFE OR ANY PART THEREOF. IN NO EVENT WILL SUN OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES OR AFFILIATES BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOST REVENUE OR PROFITS OR OTHER SPECIAL, INDIRECT AND CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF SUN HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. Use, duplication, or disclosure by the government is subject to restrictions as set forth in subparagraph (c)(1)(ii) of the Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software clause at DFARS 252.227-7013 and FAR 52.227-19. Sun, Sun Microsystems and the Sun logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. SunSoft, Inc. 2550 Garcia Avenue Mountain View, California 94043